Welcome

Welcome to Self Soul Space! This blog is designed to bring you healthy lifestyle tips. A true healthy lifestyle, embodies a healthy mind, body, spirit, and environment. Thanks for stopping by to check out my way of living.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Health of the Soul 56


Soul separate away from the group be inspired by the alone time with the Creator.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

P90X Week 6

I've completed week 6 of P90x's lean program, and let me tell you, I think I lost my mind.  In addition to P90x, I started adding a couple of runs, a family walk, and additional workouts.  Week 6 had the same schedule as week 5... Except Monday, I added Les Mills Body Flow in addition to Core Syn. On Wednesday, I went for a 2.5 mile run in the morning, then we took a 2 mile family walk after dinner, and Chest/Shoulder/Triceps + Ab ripper X once the kids went to bed.  After all of those workouts, I was pretty run down, I don't think I refueled my body enough.  Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday were normal p90x workouts.  Saturday and Sunday, I was out of town for work and forgot to bring my p90x DVDs with me.  So, instead of the scheduled Kenpo X on Saturday, I ran 4 miles, and followed Real Simple Magazine's On the Go Workout.  On Sunday, I was pretty tuckered out, so I took a much needed rest day, yay!!

Am I getting stronger? Do I feel more fit? Can I do exercises now, that I couldn't do before? Well, Yes... I am getting stronger and stronger every day.  I feel more fit and healthier... but more tired.  I really don't think I am refueling properly, and this week was the start of waking up early to help prep my body for the girls' school schedule.  There are still some exercises I can not, or do not like to do... In Core synergistic, I still don't like the sphinx or the prison push-ups.  Chest/Should/Tri, I really have a hard time with the shoulder fly push-ups, and the one-handed pushups are always good for a laugh even though I like them.  In yoga, I still don't care for standing splits or crane... enough said!  Legs/Back is still not a favorite overall.  I do hope by the end of my 90 days, that I will be able to do all of the push-ups in standard push-up form, as opposed to half on my knees.
Here's my photo from week 6... Bring on Back to School and week 7!!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Health of the Soul 55

A faithful servant should claim goodness, hope and peace in your soul.  Be progressive.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Health of the Soul 54


Soul keep your actions from evil thoughts and deeds. The benefits are immeasurable.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Health of the Soul 53

Healthy body houses a healthy spirit, will and emotions. Your soul will be filled with peace.   Keep momentum.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Health of the Soul 52


Soul be filled with integrity to build up your spirit, soul and body.  Life moves forward stay in the flow.

P90x weeks 4 & 5

So, I decided to combined week 4 & week 5's posts together.  I'm sure some of you thought I quit... Well, I didn't, so there!  Anyway, back to my P90x workout recaps... Week 4 was great, a much need break, (well not really a break). The way the lean program is set-up, during week 4 (wk 8 + 13) , the harder more weight driven workouts are removed, and you focus more on core, cardio, and yoga/stretching.  I started Monday off with yoga x; then it was core synergistic; kenpo x; x stretch; and wrapping up the week with another core syn, yoga x, and rest or x stretch Sunday.  All my favorite workouts, do see why I called it a break, plus I even took a real break in there too.  On Saturday and Sunday, I was in Michigan for a wedding. So, I allowed my body to really rest, enjoy the wedding and my distant friends.  Week 4 was a favorite for me!

Then came week 5, why oh why????  Week 5 started of with a blast, I was having fun and enjoying the workouts!  Monday greeted me with another core synergistic. No matter how many times I do this workout, I still can't stand the Sphinx push-ups and the prison cell push-ups... I hate them! Enough said!  Tuesday was fun, cardio x was on the menu, however I found myself tuckered out at the end of the workout, not enough fuel in my body.  Wednesday was really fun, I forgot how much I actually like Chest, Shoulder, Triceps (and can't forget the ever burning Ab ripper x).  Thursday brought my favorite, yoga x.  Now Friday, what was I thinking... I decided to run 3.3 miles in the morning, then I did legs & back (with my Abs are burning x) after the kids went to bed... BAD IDEA! First of all, I do not like the back exercises in legs & back.  Second of all, I did not account for the fact that was my first run in about 2 weeks.  Third, I cleaned my house all day Thursday & Friday preparing for the weekend's baby shower I was hosting.  You're probably thinking, so what...  Well, I could barely move Saturday morning.  My kicks in kenpo were less than mediocre. Sunday finally brought a rest day from exercising, but not from activity.... Remember that baby shower, I just mentioned, well it was a fun, but tiring party, so I definitely needed the rest day!!
So, here's my photo from the end of week 5... I'm not sure what I'm really expecting or wanting for results, but it's fun to see the process & progress.

On to week 6, same schedule as 5, but with my added YMCA classes added back in, it's the week before school starts, time to break my body into the double workout rotation again, wish me luck.  Have a great and healthy week my friends!!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Friday, August 17, 2012

Health of the Soul 50

With the weekend starting, and finally my contributor, Bessie Evans and I are home from traveling.  We are able to bring you the next round of Health of the Soul!  Don't forget to pay your soul a little attention this weekend!  Here's #50...


Soul receive all the benefits your Creator gives to you omnisciently.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Health of the Soul 49

Soul be aware of the subtle creeping in of evil thoughts.  Your mind should be renewed with good thoughts.  By grace through faith be confident in the power to do good and not evil.

Week 3 of P90x

Okay, so finishing week 3 of Beach Body's P90x was a little harder then usual.  I delayed it, because of vacation, and then this was just a busy week in general.  I completed it, and found a new favorite workout, Shoulders & Arms.  This workout is great because every exercise is repeated , and the sequence goes shoulders, biceps, triceps, repeat...  You work at your own pace, are you a 8-10 rep person (for building muscle), or a 12-15 rep person (create lean tone muscles). This workout is then followed with the all hard & wonderful Ab Ripper X!!  on Ab ripper this week, out of the 349 ab exercises, I completed 329.

Of course, Yoga X and Cardio X remain in the favorite list!  I've really been working on staying in my heart rate range during Cardio X, Kenpo X, and Core Synergisticis!  I love my new HR watch, D & the girls gave me!!  Here's my week 3 picture, no early morning photos with an empty stomach... this is real, after dinner before my night workout...
Have you tried P90x yet?  What's your favorite exercise so far? What program are you following or have you followed?
On to week 4!!

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

New recipe... A healthier take on a classic.  I served this for Meatless Monday, with a side of sautéed green beans from the Thayer garden.  This recipe was adapted from a Williams-Sonoma catalog recipe, which called for pancetta, whole milk, and regular butter...

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Serves: 10-12  total time : 60 min, about 30 min hands on time

Ingredients:
3 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs (I used whole wheat, but I recommend cutting this in half or more if you're not a breadcrumb on mac & cheese)
2 tbs unsalted butter (I used Smart Balance), melted
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 lb. fresh cauliflower, cut into 1/2" florets
3-6 tbs unsalted butter ( 3 tbs of smart balance)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbs dry white wine
3 1/2 cups milk (I used skin)
2 cups shredded fontina cheese
3 cups shredded Gouda cheese (I used 2)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lb macaroni, cooked al dente
Kosher salt & black pepper to taste
8 oz pancetta, julienned (optional)
1 tbs olive oil (only if not using pancetta)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a bowl combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley, 1 tsp salt, & 1/2 tsp pepper.
In a high sided pan, or a 4 qt pot, cook pancetta over medium heat, transfer to bowl & leave drippings. If omitting... heat olive oil over medium heat. Sautée cauliflower in batches, 10-12 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl.  Deglaze pot with 2 tbs of water, add water to cauliflower. Wipe out pot.
In the same pot/pan melt 3 tbs of butter over medium heat. Add flour, and cook for 3 min.  whisk in wine, and milk; cook for 10 min.  Stir in cheese, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, cayenne, nutmeg, and cream.  Add pasta, cauliflower, optional pancetta.  Top with breadcrumb mixture, bake 30 min, then broil 4-5 min.

This makes so much, I had some of the leftovers for dinner, Tuesday night with a field greens salad.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Health of the soul 48

Soul respond to say yes to obey the will and mind of the Creator.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Soul obey in the stillness of your soul.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Health of the Soul 47

Sin can cause your soul to die.  Your soul receives wages from the act of sin. Behaviors have consequences.  Soul be free from the acts of sin.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Health of the Soul 46

Your soul will have to press every day to survive sanity.  The will, mind and emotions should press to hear from the Creator.

Joel Osteen & My Visit to Lakewood


During the Thayer Family Reunion in Houston, I had the opportunity to visit Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church for the 8:30 service (You can't neglect the Health of your Soul on vacation).  I knew he had a big following, including my Father-in-law, but a basketball arena's worth, no idea.  Lakewood had an amazing alter, well really stage, and a sound system the best performers would be jealous of... I was is shock!  We were greeted by friendly ushers, who guided our entire 40 member family front and center to great seats.  I felt like I was at a Broadway show.  Which made me wonder, 'is this what church & Christianity have become?'
But I put my curiosity aside, as numbers appeared on the back drapes and started counting down... :55, :54, :53 until showtime!!  The music started, and boy was it loud, Lakewood was Jamming!!  Then Joel and his wife Victoria came out to greet everyone, and they said "...no matter what is troubling you, this will be a great week...".  And you know me, Positive Patty, I was like 'exactly... Everyone should know that!!'  The music continued on, all Christian music, but if you weren't paying attention or reading the words on the jumbo-tron, you would of never known.  All the music was upbeat, with a rock-pop-R&B feel to it, I was truly entertained.  At one point, I was jumping up and down (that's what the song said to do)... But then I wondered, 'do we need all of this entertainment in order to worship our God, and to hear/learn the word of God?'
I continued to keep an open mind, as Victoria came back up on stage.  She had a great message, Creating your Vision through God.  If there is something that you want to become, do better, excel in... speak your vision to God.  Think about it often, and in detail... will it to happen with God's help.  I thought again, 'gosh this sounds familiar, I wrote about this last month, in Visualize, Affirm, & Achieve.'  She made a great bible reference, 'What's done in secret, will come to the light', meaning through your prayers and affirmations, your vision will become visible for the world to see!  Her wonderful message, was a lead into the offering... then my thoughts started to wander again... 'How much money does it take to run this church? How much is the water & electric bill?  Does the church pay Joel?'.  I shut-off those thoughts, and focused back on the message.
After the offering and another song, came the main reason I came to Lakewood in the first place... Joel Osteen was on stage, finally!  No matter what your religious beliefs, Joel is truly a positive-uplifting person!  His sermon talked about remaining positive even when the road is beyond tough.  When you feel there is no way, or no hope for a cure... keep your faith, stay positive, and know there is always a way... God's way & will.  He is already healing you, helping you down this hard road, aiding your financial burdens.  He gave a great example of when he tried to acquire the mega-church he calls home today.  He said "... the numbers didn't add up, they were significantly short... there's no way the difference could be made...".  But Joel prayed "a lot"... and through God's will the numbers added up, they had enough to buy a new home for Lakewood Church.  With positive thinking and prayer, "God will bring you Justice".

Now, I know some of you are wondering some of the same things I was, about this church, about Christianity as whole, about Joel... I come from a small Episcopal Parish; prayer book, a few hymns, a good short sermon, stand-up/sit-down/kneel, you're done, so you can understand my curiosity... But, I'm here to tell you, "Who Cares".  Look past the flashy stage, rockin' music, enormous building... Listen and learn the message!  Create and work your vision, stay positive, and when in doubt- lean on God!  There are different churches, different religions for everyone, and Thank God, we live in a country where we are free to practice how and which ever way we want.  If you're ever in the Houston area, I strongly recommend you visit Lakewood Church.  If not, check your local listing for Joel on TV, you might learn something, or better yet, feel empowered to live your Best Life Ever!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Health of the Soul 45

Your soul is tested in the natural to live in isolation.  The invisible part of you is being molded and shaped by faith to fellowship with family, friends and co-workers.

Health of the Soul 44

Soul surrender to the will of the Creator will make right decisions and be filled with character, integrity and honor.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Health of the Soul 43

Your soul cannot hide any action or thought from the Creator.  A soul filled with joy and love is evidence of abiding in communication with the Creator.